Mouses that are good if you think you are getting Carpal Tunnel

[Halation]

If you can manage it, going lefty sometimes helps a lot. Tennis and poker have pretty much destroyed my right wrist, so I set up a mouse on each side. Some people find this totally impossible though.

[kazana]

Trackball ftw.
Keep a normal mouse or shooters or other games where a trackball won't do the job, and you're set up for life.

[elffaw]

Switch hands throughout the day.

I have a trackball on the left side of the keyboard, and a mouse on the right. I switch between the two, and every once in a while swap the location of the devices. This way I get the most variety in muscles used/motions used.

[Daddy Warbucks]

I have the MX revolutions, but the middle wheel drives me nuts, because its free spinning. I find it really difficult to click stuff with it.

[MrMon]

I have found that the key is not the mouse, but the mouse pad. I have a pad that has one of the gel wristrests at the back and that makes all the difference in the world. Any time I use any mouse at another computer without the wristrest, I start having problems, so it's definitely not the mouse for me. I use the mouse from the keyboard tray as well with the pad, having the mouse too high can also be a problem.

For the record, I use a Microsoft Optical Wireless Mouse 2.0, which I love for it's lack of constraining wire, but like I said, try the gel wristrest first. If you don't use one, using it should help immensely. Then search for a better mouse if you need one.

[donny0]

[ QUOTE ]
The Logitech trackball put an end to the soreness I was developing in my wrist and hand.

[/ QUOTE ]


QFT, i switched to one of these and have had no issues since. Get a microsoft egronomic keyboard (the split ones) to help your wrists some more. You may even swing work to pay for them at your office, RMI is a safety injury for them.

THe general rules of thumbs i remember are to have your forearms parallel to the ground, and to not have your wrists cocked when typing/mousing.

[bxb]

I'm surprised how few trackballs are on the market. Like I can't find any models that feature some of the extra buttons that come on regular mice.

How is carpal tunnel syndrome treated?


Treatments for carpal tunnel syndrome should begin as early as possible, under a doctor's direction. Underlying causes such as diabetes or arthritis should be treated first. Initial treatment generally involves resting the affected hand and wrist for at least 2 weeks , avoiding activities that may worsen symptoms, and immobilizing the wrist in a splint to avoid further damage from twisting or bending. If there is inflammation, applying cool packs can help reduce swelling.

Non-surgical treatments

Drugs - In special circumstances, various drugs can ease the pain and swelling associated with carpal tunnel syndrome. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as aspirin, ibuprofen, and other nonprescription pain relievers, may ease symptoms that have been present for a short time or have been caused by strenuous activity. Orally administered diuretics ("water pills") can decrease swelling. Corticosteroids (such as prednisone) or the drug lidocaine can be injected directly into the wrist or taken by mouth (in the case of prednisone) to relieve pressure on the median nerve and provide immediate, temporary relief to persons with mild or intermittent symptoms. (Caution: persons with diabetes and those who may be predisposed to diabetes should note that prolonged use of corticosteroids can make it difficult to regulate insulin levels. Corticosterioids should not be taken without a doctor's prescription.) Additionally, some studies show that vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) supplements may ease the symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome.

Exercise - Stretching and strengthening exercises can be helpful in people whose symptoms have abated. These exercises may be supervised by a physical therapist, who is trained to use exercises to treat physical impairments, or an occupational therapist, who is trained in evaluating people with physical impairments and helping them build skills to improve their health and well-being.

Alternative therapies - Acupuncture and chiropractic care have benefited some patients but their effectiveness remains unproved. An exception is yoga, which has been shown to reduce pain and improve grip strength among patients with carpal tunnel syndrome.

Surgery

Carpal tunnel release is one of the most common surgical procedures in the United States. Generally recommended if symptoms last for 6 months, surgery involves severing the band of tissue around the wrist to reduce pressure on the median nerve. Surgery is done under local anesthesia and does not require an overnight hospital stay. Many patients require surgery on both hands. The following are types of carpal tunnel release surgery:

Open release surgery, the traditional procedure used to correct carpal tunnel syndrome, consists of making an incision up to 2 inches in the wrist and then cutting the carpal ligament to enlarge the carpal tunnel. The procedure is generally done under local anesthesia on an outpatient basis, unless there are unusual medical considerations.

Endoscopic surgery may allow faster functional recovery and less postoperative discomfort than traditional open release surgery. The surgeon makes two incisions (about ½" each) in the wrist and palm, inserts a camera attached to a tube, observes the tissue on a screen, and cuts the carpal ligament (the tissue that holds joints together). This two-portal endoscopic surgery, generally performed under local anesthesia, is effective and minimizes scarring and scar tenderness, if any. One-portal endoscopic surgery for carpal tunnel syndrome is also available.

Although symptoms may be relieved immediately after surgery, full recovery from carpal tunnel surgery can take months. Some patients may have infection, nerve damage, stiffness, and pain at the scar. Occasionally the wrist loses strength because the carpal ligament is cut. Patients should undergo physical therapy after surgery to restore wrist strength. Some patients may need to adjust job duties or even change jobs after recovery from surgery.

Recurrence of carpal tunnel syndrome following treatment is rare. The majority of patients recover completely.

[Big Bend]

I use a Logitech Gamepad to play poker with. Much nicer than using a mouse. Good luck!

BB

[n.s.]

I've never tried one, but I've heard good things about vertical mice, like this one:



This is just the first one I found doing a google search.

If I turn my hand sideways like that when holding my mouse, it does feel a lot more comfortable.